JP6950722B2 - Clock type blood pressure measuring device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a pulse wave measuring device and a blood pressure measuring device including the same.

Blood pressure is one of the important information for grasping the health condition of human beings. Blood pressure includes systolic blood pressure (also called systolic blood pressure or systolic blood pressure) and diastolic blood pressure (also called diastolic blood pressure or diastolic blood pressure). In recent years, systolic blood pressure or diastolic blood pressure has been used as an index contributing to risk analysis of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, heart failure and myocardial infarction.

As a method for measuring blood pressure, an oscillometric method for measuring blood pressure by pressurizing the upper arm with a cuff is known. In the oscillometric method, the amplitude of the pulse wave measured at the upper arm changes according to the change in cuff pressure. Based on the amplitude of the pulse wave, the blood pressure in the process of contracting the heart (systolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure) and the blood pressure in the process of expanding the heart (diastolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure) are measured. Therefore, when using pulse wave information for estimating blood pressure, it is necessary to accurately acquire the pulse wave.

As a technique for measuring a pulse wave, Patent Document 1 describes a blood pressure measuring device using a double cuff method provided with an ischemic air bag used for compressing a blood vessel and an air bag for detecting a pulse wave. In the double cuff method, the pulse wave is detected in the central part under the air bag for pulse wave detection in which the ischemic function is separated. The blood pressure measuring device of Patent Document 1 has a complicated device configuration for accurate pulse wave measurement, and each air bag requires complicated control.

Further, Patent Document 2 describes a blood pressure measuring device that positions a vibration sensor on an artery and measures a pulse wave. The blood pressure measuring device of Patent Document 2 has a complicated device configuration for positioning, and if the measurement position of the vibration sensor deviates from the measurement site due to the movement of the measurer, it becomes impossible to acquire an accurate pulse wave.

Patent Document 3 describes a pulse wave measuring instrument provided with a plurality of sensors. This pulse wave measuring instrument includes a vibrating membrane that transmits the displacement of the skin surface due to the pulse wave, a frame portion that fixes the outer peripheral portion of the vibrating membrane, and a partition portion that divides the central portion of the vibrating membrane into a plurality of sections. Further, the pulse wave measuring device includes a plurality of sensor elements arranged on a vibrating membrane located in a plurality of compartments and converting the vibration of the vibrating membrane into an electric signal.

In the pulse wave measuring instrument of Patent Document 3, the vibrating membrane is divided into sections for each sensor element by a partition portion, and the stress and displacement transmitted to each sensor element are separated and independent. As a result, crosstalk to adjacent sensor elements due to the pressure and stress of the vibrating membrane is suppressed, and the measurement accuracy is improved. Further, since a plurality of sensor elements are spread two-dimensionally, even if the point at which each sensor element detects a pulse wave is a pinpoint, one of the plurality of sensor elements picks up the pulse wave. can.

Japanese Patent No. 481594 Japanese Patent No. 3873625 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-072645 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-156531

In the pulse wave measuring instrument disclosed in Patent Document 3, it is necessary to arrange a large number of sensor elements in a two-dimensional manner in order to widen the range for detecting the pulse wave. Further, since the vibration of the vibration membrane of the pulse wave measuring device is limited to the division range of each sensor element, the vibration membrane cannot be vibrated significantly, and the vibration detection sensitivity is lowered.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a pulse wave measuring device capable of expanding the detection range of a pulse wave with a simple configuration and capable of measuring an accurate pulse wave, and a blood pressure measuring device including the pulse wave measuring device.

The clock-type blood pressure measuring device according to one aspect of the present invention is provided with a main body portion, a band portion connected to the main body portion and fixed to the wrist of the person to be measured, and the band portion side to measure pulse waves. A pulse wave measuring unit and a pressure measuring unit for measuring the pressure applied to the wrist are provided, and the main body unit is provided with pressure information measured by the pressure measuring unit and pulse wave information measured by the pulse wave measuring unit. Display the estimated blood pressure information based on it.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can provide a pulse wave measuring device capable of expanding the detection range of a pulse wave with a simple configuration and capable of measuring an accurate pulse wave, and a blood pressure measuring device including the same.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the pulse wave measuring apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the acceleration sensor in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the vibration transmission part in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the positional relationship between the acceleration sensor and the vibration transmission part in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the positional relationship between the acceleration sensor and the vibration transmission part in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship between the acceleration sensor and the part to be measured in the comparative example. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship between the pulse wave measuring apparatus and the measured part in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state which attached the acceleration sensor to the upper arm part. It is a figure which shows the pulse wave signal acquired by an acceleration sensor. It is a figure which shows the state which attached the pulse wave measuring apparatus in 1st Embodiment to the upper arm part. It is a figure which shows the pulse wave signal acquired by the pulse wave measuring apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the pulse wave measuring apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the pulse wave measuring apparatus in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the pulse wave measuring apparatus in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the pulse wave measuring apparatus in 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the pulse wave measuring apparatus in 6th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the blood pressure measuring apparatus in 7th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the modification of the blood pressure measuring apparatus in 7th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the modification of the blood pressure measuring apparatus in 7th Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the clock in 8th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structure for realizing the pressure control part or the blood pressure estimation part of the blood pressure measuring device in 7th Embodiment by a computer device.

Each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment)
First, the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a pulse wave measuring device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an acceleration sensor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a vibration transmitting unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between the acceleration sensor and the vibration transmission unit in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between the acceleration sensor and the vibration transmission unit in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pulse wave measuring device 10 in the first embodiment includes an acceleration sensor 100 and a vibration transmitting unit 110. A configuration in which the length of the vibration transmission unit 110 in the specific direction is longer than the length of the acceleration sensor 100 in the longitudinal direction is adopted. In the specific direction, the length of the vibration transmitting unit 110 is the longest direction.

The acceleration sensor 100 detects vibration at the part to be measured and converts the vibration information into an electric signal. The converted electric signal is transmitted to the outside by wiring (not shown). A bandpass filter, an adaptive filter or a Kalman filter that pass a specific range of frequencies when converting an electrical signal may be applied. As a result, it is possible to generate an electric signal from which noise other than the vibration information of the pulse wave is removed. Further, the electric signal may be transmitted to the outside of the acceleration sensor 100 as a wireless signal by a wireless unit (not shown) instead of wiring. The band-passing filter and the wireless unit may have a configuration built in the acceleration sensor 100 or may be added to the acceleration sensor 100.

The acceleration sensor 100 is not limited to any one of the 1-axis acceleration sensor, the 2-axis acceleration sensor, and the 3-axis acceleration sensor. Further, as the sensing method for detecting the acceleration, an electrostatic type, a piezoelectric type, a resistance type, a thermal / fluid type, an electrokinetic type, a servo type, or a magnetic type can be applied. In addition, as the sensing method, a method other than the above can be applied.

The shape of the acceleration sensor 100 may be, for example, either the rectangular acceleration sensor 100A shown in FIG. 2A or the circular acceleration sensor 100B shown in FIG. 2B. The shape of the acceleration sensor may be a shape other than the above.

Next, the vibration transmission unit 110 has a function of transmitting the vibration captured in a certain portion to the entire vibration transmission unit 110. As the material of the vibration transmission unit 110, for example, a metal (aluminum, copper, aluminum alloy, etc.), a resin (polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, etc.), and a liquid (including gel) can be applied. The vibration transmission unit 110 may be a bag in which a gas, a liquid, or a solid is sealed.

The shape of the vibration transmission unit 110 may be any shape as long as the length of the vibration transmission unit 110 in the specific direction is longer than the length of the acceleration sensor 100 in the longitudinal direction. For example, the rectangular vibration transmission unit 110A shown in FIG. 3A, the elliptical vibration transmission unit 110B shown in FIG. 3B, and the comb-shaped vibration transmission unit 110C shown in FIG. 3C. It may be any of the ladder type vibration transmission units 110D shown in 3 (d). Further, the shape of the vibration transmitting portion 110 is not limited to these shapes. The thickness of the vibration transmitting portion 110 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 mm or less.

As a method of adhering the acceleration sensor 100 and the vibration transmission unit 110, there is a method of attaching and fixing a double-sided tape to the acceleration sensor 100 and the vibration transmission unit 110. The bonding method may be bonding with an adhesive, or heat welding or ultrasonic welding may be used.

As for the positional relationship between the acceleration sensor 100 and the vibration transmission unit 110, as shown in FIG. 4A, it is desirable that the acceleration sensor 100 is arranged near the center of the length of the vibration transmission unit 110 in a specific direction. As a result, the vibration detection sensitivity of the acceleration sensor 100 via the vibration transmission unit 110 is increased. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the acceleration sensor 100 may be arranged near the end of the vibration transmission unit 110. Further, when the acceleration sensor 100 and the vibration transmission unit 110 each have an end portion as shown in FIG. 4C, the end portions of the acceleration sensor 100 and the vibration transmission unit 110 do not have to be parallel to each other.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, vibration transmission units 110E and 110F may be arranged on the end face of the acceleration sensor 100. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the vibration transmission unit 110 is arranged at the two facing ends of the acceleration sensor 100. The arrangement position of the vibration transmission unit 110 is not limited to FIG. 5, and may be one end or a plurality of end faces.

Subsequently, the operation of the pulse wave measuring device 10 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the acceleration sensor and the measured portion in the comparative example. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the pulse wave measuring device and the measured portion in the first embodiment. 6 and 7 show a cross-sectional view of the state in which the acceleration sensor 100 is installed near the measurement site of the artery 50. 6 and 7 are examples of measuring the pulse wave in the upper arm portion, and the outline of the upper arm portion, which is the measurement site, is represented by the bone 52, the artery 50, and the surface layer 53.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the acceleration sensor 100 is installed on the surface layer 53 near the artery 50. In this case, since the position of the acceleration sensor 100 is within the vibration transmission range 51, the vibration of the skin surface layer due to the pulsation is acquired. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the acceleration sensor 100 is installed on the surface layer 53 outside the vibration transmission range 51, the acceleration sensor 100 cannot detect the vibration of the artery 50.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the pulse wave measuring device 10 of the first embodiment is installed on the surface layer 53 near the artery 50. In this case, since the position of the acceleration sensor 100 is within the vibration transmission range 51, the vibration of the skin surface layer portion due to the pulsation can be easily acquired.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, it is assumed that the acceleration sensor 100 of the pulse wave measuring device 10 of the first embodiment is installed on the surface layer 53 outside the vibration transmission range 51. At this time, the acceleration sensor 100 of the pulse wave measuring device 10 is located outside the vibration transmission range 51, but the vibration transmission unit 110 within the vibration transmission range 51 transmits the vibration of the surface layer portion due to the pulsation to the acceleration sensor 100. This makes it possible for the acceleration sensor 100 in FIG. 7B to detect the vibration of the pulsation.

FIG. 8 is a diagram conceptually showing a state in which the acceleration sensor 100 is directly attached to the upper arm portion.

FIG. 9 shows the time change of the pulse wave signal detected by the acceleration sensor 100 when the compression pressure on the upper arm is changed (pressurized) in the state shown in FIG. FIG. 9A shows a pulse wave signal when the acceleration sensor 100 is placed on the surface layer 53 near the artery 50, and FIG. 9B shows a pulse when the acceleration sensor 100 is displaced from the artery 50. It is a wave signal. As shown in FIG. 9A, a clear pulse wave signal can be detected when the acceleration sensor 100 is arranged near the artery 50. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9B, the pulse wave signal can be detected only slightly when the misalignment occurs.

FIG. 10 is a diagram conceptually showing a state in which the pulse wave measuring device 10 of the first embodiment is attached to the upper arm portion. FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the change (pressurization) of the compression pressure on the upper arm and the time change of the pulse wave signal detected by the pulse wave measuring device 10 in the state shown in FIG. FIG. 11A shows a pulse wave in a state where the acceleration sensor is arranged on the surface layer 53 near the artery 50, and FIG. 11B shows a position shift when the acceleration sensor is displaced from the artery 50. It is a pulse wave of. As shown in FIG. 11, the pulse wave measuring device 10 of the first embodiment can detect the pulse wave signal even if the position of the acceleration sensor deviates from the artery 50.

As described above, in the pulse wave measuring device of the first embodiment, even if the acceleration sensor is arranged on the surface layer outside the vibration transmission range of the artery at the time of measuring the pulse wave, the vibration transmission unit captures the vibration of the pulsation and transmits the vibration. The acceleration sensor can detect the vibration of the part. Therefore, the detection range of the pulse wave can be expanded with a simple configuration, and the pulse wave can be measured accurately. The reason is that the pulse wave measuring device has an acceleration sensor and a vibration transmission unit, and the length of the vibration transmission unit in a specific direction is longer than the length of the acceleration sensor in the longitudinal direction. Is.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a pulse wave measuring device according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 12, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 12, the pulse wave measuring device 11 in the second embodiment includes an acceleration sensor 100 and a vibration transmitting unit 111. Then, as in the first embodiment, the length of the vibration transmitting unit 111 in the specific direction is longer than the length of the acceleration sensor 100 in the longitudinal direction. Further, in the pulse wave measuring device 11 of the second embodiment, the length of the vibration transmitting unit 111 in the direction perpendicular to the specific direction and the thickness direction (hereinafter referred to as the vertical direction) is the length of the acceleration sensor 100. Equivalent or less. This indicates that the vibration transmission unit 111 of the second embodiment does not have to be connected to the vibration transmission unit 111 as a whole when transmitting the vibration of the pulsation to the acceleration sensor 100. ..

The vibration transmission unit 111 has a function of transmitting the vibration captured by a certain portion of the vibration transmission unit 111 to the entire vibration transmission unit 111 as in the first embodiment. As the material of the vibration transmission unit 111, the same material as that of the first embodiment can be applied. The shape of the vibration transmission unit 111 is such that the length of the vibration transmission unit 111 in the specific direction is longer than the length of the acceleration sensor 100 in the longitudinal direction, and the length of the vibration transmission unit 111 in the vertical direction is equivalent to the length of the acceleration sensor 100. Any shape may be used as long as it is as follows. The shape of the vibration transmitting portion 111 may be any of the shapes shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D as in the first embodiment, for example. Further, the shape of the vibration transmitting portion 111 may be a shape other than those shown in FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (d). The thickness of the vibration transmitting portion 111 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 mm or less.

The method of connecting the acceleration sensor 100 and the vibration transmission unit 111 is not particularly limited as in the first embodiment. However, when the contact area between the acceleration sensor 100 and the vibration transmission unit 111 in the second embodiment is smaller than the contact area in the first embodiment, it is desirable that the adhesion force is stronger than that in the first embodiment. ..

Regarding the positional relationship between the acceleration sensor 100 and the vibration transmission unit 111, the acceleration sensor 100 is arranged near the center of the length of the vibration transmission unit 111 in a specific direction so that the vibration detection sensitivity becomes high as in the first embodiment. It is desirable to be done. As in the first embodiment, the acceleration sensor 100 may be arranged near the end of the vibration transmission unit 111, or the ends of the vibration transmission unit 111 and the acceleration sensor 100 may not be parallel to each other. good. Further, as for the arrangement position of the vibration transmission unit 111, the vibration transmission unit 111 may be arranged at one or a plurality of ends of the acceleration sensor 100 as in FIG.

As described above, the pulse wave measuring device 11 in the second embodiment can expand the detection range of the pulse wave with a simple configuration and can accurately measure the pulse wave. The reason is that, in the pulse wave measuring device 11 of the second embodiment, the length of the vibration transmitting portion in the specific direction is the length of the accelerometer in the longitudinal direction, as in the pulse wave measuring device 10 of the first embodiment. Longer than that. That is, the vibration transmission unit 111 can transmit the vibration due to the pulsation to the acceleration sensor 100 in the region of the vibration transmission unit where the acceleration sensor 100 is not installed.

Further, the pulse wave measuring device 11 in the second embodiment has a length in the vertical direction equal to or less than the length of the acceleration sensor 100, and can capture vibration due to pulsation in a more limited range in the blood flow direction. .. Therefore, the second embodiment can detect the pulse wave more accurately than the first embodiment.

(Third Embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a pulse wave measuring device according to a third embodiment. The same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 13, the pulse wave measuring device 12 in the third embodiment includes an acceleration sensor 100 and a vibration transmitting unit 112. The length of the vibration transmission unit 112 in the specific direction is longer than the length of the acceleration sensor 100 in the longitudinal direction. Further, the vibration transmission unit 112 has a structure curved in a specific direction.

The vibration transmission unit 112 has a function of transmitting the vibration captured by a certain portion of the vibration transmission unit 112 to the entire vibration transmission unit 112 as in the first embodiment. Further, as the material of the vibration transmission unit 112, the same material as that of the first embodiment can be applied. Further, the shape of the vibration transmission unit 112 is any shape as long as the length of the vibration transmission unit 112 in the specific direction is longer than the length of the acceleration sensor 100 in the longitudinal direction and the vibration transmission unit 112 is curved in the specific direction. It may be in shape. For example, as in the first embodiment, any of the shapes shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D may be used. Moreover, it is not limited to these shapes. The thickness is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 mm or less.

The curved shape of the vibration transmitting portion 112 in a specific direction may be a smooth arc shape or an angular arc shape. The radius of curvature of the vibration transmitting portion 112 in a specific direction is preferably in the range of 1.6 cm to 8.0 cm.

The method of adhering the acceleration sensor 100 and the vibration transmission unit 112 is not particularly limited as in the first embodiment. Further, the positional relationship between the acceleration sensor 100 and the vibration transmission unit 112 is such that the vibration detection sensitivity is high as in the first embodiment, so that the acceleration sensor 100 is located near the center of the length of the vibration transmission unit 112 in a specific direction. Is desirable to be placed. As in the first embodiment, the acceleration sensor 100 may be arranged near the end of the vibration transmission unit 112, or the ends of the vibration transmission unit 112 and the acceleration sensor 100 may not be parallel to each other. good. Further, as for the arrangement position of the vibration transmission unit 112, the vibration transmission unit 112 may be arranged at one or a plurality of ends of the acceleration sensor 100 as in FIG.

As described above, the pulse wave measuring device 12 according to the third embodiment can expand the detection range of the pulse wave with a simple configuration and can accurately measure the pulse wave. The reason is that, in the pulse wave measuring device 12 of the third embodiment, the length of the vibration transmitting portion in the specific direction is the length of the accelerometer in the longitudinal direction, as in the pulse wave measuring device 10 of the first embodiment. Longer than that. That is, the vibration transmission unit 112 can transmit the vibration due to the pulsation in the region of the vibration transmission unit 112 in which the acceleration sensor 100 is not installed to the acceleration sensor 100.

Further, since the pulse wave measuring device 12 in the third embodiment has a structure curved in a specific direction, the vibration transmission portion 112 of the pulse wave measuring device easily fits into the measured portion, and the contact area becomes large. A more accurate pulse wave can be detected as compared with the first embodiment.

(Fourth Embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of a pulse wave measuring device according to a fourth embodiment. The same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 14, the pulse wave measuring device 13 in the fourth embodiment includes an acceleration sensor 100 and a vibration transmitting unit 113. The length of the vibration transmission unit 113 in the specific direction is longer than the length of the acceleration sensor 100 in the longitudinal direction. Further, the vibration transmission unit 113 is deformed into a curved shape in the longitudinal direction by an external pressure 130 of 50 mmHg (6666 Pa) or less applied in the direction of the portion to be measured.

The vibration transmission unit 113 has a function of transmitting the vibration captured by a certain portion of the vibration transmission unit 113 to the entire vibration transmission unit 113 as in the first embodiment.

The material of the vibration transmission unit 113 is a material having a Young's modulus of about 10 GPa or less, which is easily deformed by an external pressure 130 of 50 mmHg (6666 Pa) or less. For example, a bag sealed with a resin (polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, etc.), a liquid (including a gel), or a gas.

The shape of the vibration transmission unit 113 may be any shape as long as the length of the vibration transmission unit 113 in the specific direction is longer than the length of the acceleration sensor 100 in the longitudinal direction. For example, the shape of the vibration transmitting portion 113 may be any of the shapes shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D as in the first embodiment. Moreover, it is not limited to these shapes. The thickness is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 mm or less.

The method of adhering the acceleration sensor 100 and the vibration transmission unit 113 is not particularly limited as in the first embodiment.

Regarding the positional relationship between the acceleration sensor 100 and the vibration transmission unit 113, the acceleration sensor 100 is arranged near the center of the length of the vibration transmission unit 113 in a specific direction so that the vibration detection sensitivity becomes high as in the first embodiment. It is desirable to be done. As in the first embodiment, the acceleration sensor 100 may be arranged near the end of the vibration transmission unit 113, or the end portions of the vibration transmission unit 113 and the acceleration sensor 100 may not be parallel to each other. good. Further, as for the arrangement position of the vibration transmission unit 113, the vibration transmission unit 113 may be arranged at one or a plurality of ends of the acceleration sensor 100 as in FIG.

As described above, the pulse wave measuring device 13 in the fourth embodiment can expand the detection range of the pulse wave with a simple configuration and can accurately measure the pulse wave. The reason is that, in the pulse wave measuring device 13 of the fourth embodiment, the length of the vibration transmitting unit 113 in the specific direction is the longitudinal direction of the acceleration sensor 100, as in the pulse wave measuring device 10 of the first embodiment. Longer than the length of. That is, the vibration transmission unit 113 can transmit the vibration due to the pulsation in the region of the vibration transmission unit 113 in which the acceleration sensor 100 is not installed to the acceleration sensor 100.

In addition, in the pulse wave measuring device 13 of the fourth embodiment, the vibration transmission unit 113 is easily deformed at an external pressure 130 of 50 mmHg (6666 Pa) or less. By applying the external pressure 130 to the vibration transmission unit 113, the vibration transmission unit 113 of the pulse wave measuring device 13 can be easily adapted to the part to be measured, the contact area becomes large, and an accurate pulse wave can be detected.

(Fifth Embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration of a pulse wave measuring device according to a fifth embodiment. The same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15, the pulse wave measuring device 14 according to the fifth embodiment includes an acceleration sensor 100 and a vibration transmitting unit 114. The length of the vibration transmission unit 114 in the specific direction is longer than the length of the acceleration sensor 100 in the longitudinal direction, and the vibration transmission unit 114 has a high vibration transmission rate with respect to the measured portion 140.

The vibration transmission unit 114 has a function of transmitting the vibration captured by a certain portion of the vibration transmission unit 114 to the entire vibration transmission unit 114 as in the first embodiment. Further, the vibration transmission unit 114 has a high vibration transmission coefficient with respect to the measured portion 140 (for example, skin). Specifically, it is a shape or material in which the vibration frequency of the vibration transmission unit 114 is in the range of 0.5 Hz to 2.5 Hz and the vibration transmission coefficient is 1 or more.

The vibration transmission coefficient λ is the ratio of the magnitude of the reaction force at the support point to the force input from the vibration source, and is expressed by (Equation 1).

ζ: damping ratio, c: damping coefficient, c _c : critical damping coefficient, m: mass, k: spring constant, ω: angular frequency, ω _n : natural angular frequency.

The material is, for example, a bag in which a metal (aluminum, copper, aluminum alloy, etc.), a resin (polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, etc.), or a solid is sealed.

The shape of the vibration transmission unit 114 may be any shape as long as the length of the vibration transmission unit 114 in the specific direction is longer than the length of the acceleration sensor 100 in the longitudinal direction. For example, as in the first embodiment, any of the shapes shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D may be used. Further, the shape of the vibration transmitting portion 114 is not limited to these shapes. The thickness of the vibration transmitting portion 114 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 mm or less.

The method of connecting the acceleration sensor 100 and the vibration transmission unit 114 is not particularly limited as in the first embodiment. As for the positional relationship between the acceleration sensor 100 and the vibration transmission unit 114, the acceleration sensor 100 is arranged near the center of the length of the vibration transmission unit 114 in a specific direction so that the vibration detection sensitivity becomes high as in the first embodiment. It is desirable to be done. As in the first embodiment, the acceleration sensor 100 may be arranged near the end of the vibration transmission unit 114, or the ends of the vibration transmission unit 114 and the acceleration sensor 100 may not be parallel to each other. good. Further, as for the arrangement position of the vibration transmission unit 114, the vibration transmission unit 114 may be arranged at one or a plurality of ends of the acceleration sensor 100 as in FIG.

As described above, the pulse wave measuring device 14 according to the fifth embodiment can expand the detection range of the pulse wave with a simple configuration and can accurately measure the pulse wave. The reason is that, in the pulse wave measuring device 14 of the fifth embodiment, the length of the vibration transmitting unit 114 in the specific direction is the longitudinal direction of the acceleration sensor 100, as in the pulse wave measuring device 10 of the first embodiment. Longer than the length of. That is, the vibration transmission unit 114 can transmit the vibration due to the pulsation in the region of the vibration transmission unit 114 in which the acceleration sensor 100 is not installed to the acceleration sensor 100.

Further, since the vibration transmission unit 114 of the pulse wave measuring device 14 in the fifth embodiment has a higher vibration transmission rate than the measured portion 140, it is possible to suppress the damping of the vibration of the pulsation transmitted by the vibration transmission unit 114. It is possible to detect an accurate pulse wave.

(Sixth Embodiment)
Next, the sixth embodiment will be described. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a configuration of a pulse wave measuring device according to a sixth embodiment. In the drawings, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 16, the pulse wave measuring device 15 in the sixth embodiment includes an acceleration sensor 100, a vibration transmission unit 115, and a compression unit 150. That is, it differs from the first embodiment in that it has a compression portion 150, and is the same as the first embodiment in other points.

The compression portion 150 of the pulse wave measuring device 15 in the sixth embodiment is arranged at a position such that the acceleration sensor 100 and the vibration transmission portion 115 are interposed between the compression portion 150 and the measurement target portion (not shown). .. Then, by changing the amount of fluid in the compression portion 150, pressure is applied to the pulse wave measuring device 15, making it easier to fit to the part to be measured, and the contact area becomes larger, as compared with the first embodiment. More accurate pulse wave can be detected.

(7th Embodiment)
Next, a seventh embodiment will be described. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the blood pressure measuring device according to the seventh embodiment. Specifically, the blood pressure measuring device 1 in the present embodiment includes a cuff 21, a compression bag 22 provided on the cuff 21, at least one pulse wave measuring device 10, a pressure measuring unit 23, and a pressure control unit 24. , A blood pressure estimation unit 25. The pressure measuring unit 23 measures the pressure inside the compression bag 22. The pressure control unit 24 controls the pressure inside the compression bag 22. The blood pressure estimation unit 25 estimates the blood pressure information of the person to be measured based on the results of the pressure measurement unit 23, the pressure control unit 24, and the pulse wave measurement device 10. The blood pressure measuring device 1 may further include an input unit 26 for inputting instruction information to the blood pressure estimation unit 25 and a display unit 27 for displaying the result estimated by the blood pressure estimation unit 25.

The cuff 21 has a band-shaped or annular structure and can be attached to a part of a living body such as an upper arm, a leg, or a wrist.

The compression bag 22 has a structure capable of enclosing a fluid (gas, gel, liquid, etc.) inside. The compression bag 22 is used to apply pressure to the part to be measured by enclosing a fluid inside. The compression bag 22 may have one bag, or may have a plurality of bags such as a combination of a gel bag for enclosing gel and an air bag for encapsulating gas. Further, in order to adjust the amount of fluid sealed in the compression bag 22, the compression bag 22 may have a pump, a valve, or the like (not shown).

One or more pulse wave measuring devices 10 are connected to the compression bag 22. The pulse wave measuring device 10 measures one or more pulse waves when the amount of fluid in the compression bag 22 is changed.

The pressure measuring unit 23 measures the pressure inside the compression bag 22. As an example, the pressure measuring unit 23 discretizes the measured pressure and converts it into a digital signal (analog / digital conversion, hereinafter referred to as “A / D conversion”). Then, the pressure measuring unit 23 transmits the converted digital signal as a pressure signal. The pressure measuring unit 23 can extract a part of the pressure signal by using a filter or the like that extracts a specific frequency at the time of A / D conversion. Further, the pressure measuring unit 23 can amplify the pressure signal to a predetermined amplitude by using an amplifier or the like.

The pressure control unit 24 controls the pressure inside the compression bag 22. As an example of the operation, the pressure control unit 24 controls the amount of fluid to be sealed in the compression bag 22 with reference to the pressure signal transmitted from the pressure measurement unit 23. More specifically, the pressure control unit 24 controls the operation of the pump that sends the fluid to be sealed in the compression bag 22 and the valve of the compression bag 22. By controlling the pressure inside the compression bag 22, the pressure control unit 24 controls the pressure applied to the part to be measured.

The blood pressure estimation unit 25 estimates blood pressure information based on the pressure signal transmitted from the pressure measurement unit 23 and at least one pulse wave signal transmitted from at least one pulse wave measurement device 10. The blood pressure estimation unit 25 can use a known method as a process for estimating blood pressure information. As a known method, there is a method of determining systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure by, for example, an oscillometric method or a Korotkoff method. In this embodiment, detailed description of each will be omitted. The blood pressure estimation unit 25 may transmit a control signal instructing the control content to the pressure control unit 24 when estimating the blood pressure information.

When the blood pressure measuring device 1 has an input unit 26, the input unit 26 has, for example, a measurement start button for starting the measurement, a power button, and a measurement stop button for stopping the measurement after the measurement is started. Further, when the display unit 27 is provided, the input unit 26 can further have a selection button or the like (all not shown) used when the display unit 27 selects an item to be displayed. The blood pressure measuring device 1 starts the measurement, for example, when the person to be measured operates the input unit 26.

When the blood pressure measuring device 1 has the display unit 27, the display unit 27 displays, for example, the blood pressure information estimated by the blood pressure estimation unit 25. The display unit 27 has, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an OLED (Organic light-emitting diode), electronic paper, or the like. When the display unit 27 has an electronic paper, the electronic paper can be realized by a microcapsule method, an electronic powder fluid method, a cholesteric liquid crystal method, an electrophoresis method, an electrowetting method, or the like.

The pulse wave measuring device 10 in the present embodiment is not limited to the pulse wave measuring device 10 in the first embodiment. As the pulse wave measuring device 10 in the present embodiment, any pulse wave measuring device shown as each embodiment or a modification thereof can be used.

Further, the pressure measuring unit 23, the pressure control unit 24, and the blood pressure estimation unit 25 may be connected via a communication network. In this case, the control signal, pressure signal, pulse wave signal, etc. are transmitted and received via the communication network. Further, when the blood pressure measuring device 1 in the present embodiment has an input unit 26 and a display unit 27, these components can be connected to other components via an arbitrary communication network.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a modified example of the blood pressure measuring device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 18, the blood pressure measuring device 1A includes a measuring device 29 and an estimating device 30, and the measuring device 29 includes a cuff 21, a compression bag 22 provided on the cuff 21, at least one pulse wave measuring device 10, and pressure. It has a measuring unit 23 and a pressure control unit 24. Further, the estimation device 30 includes a blood pressure estimation unit 25, an input unit 26, and a display unit 27.

The measuring device 29 and the estimating device 30 are each connected via a wireless communication network by a wireless communication unit (not shown). In this case, one estimation device 30 may transmit a control signal to a plurality of measuring devices 29, or receive pulse wave signals measured from each of the plurality of measuring devices 29 to estimate the blood pressure. You may.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the blood pressure measuring device 2 in the present embodiment may have a configuration in which the pressure measuring unit 23 measures a pressure other than the pressure inside the compression bag 22. For example, the pressure measuring unit 23 can be configured to measure the compression pressure applied to the part to be measured. In this case, the pressure measuring unit 23 is attached to the surface of the compression bag 22 facing the living body by connecting to the sensing bag 28 or the like. The sensing bag 28 is a bag having a shorter structure in a specific direction than the compression bag 22, and the compression pressure can be obtained by limiting the area to be measured. Therefore, blood pressure information can be measured more accurately.

(8th Embodiment)
Next, the eighth embodiment will be described. FIG. 20 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a clock according to an eighth embodiment. FIG. 20 (a) is a diagram showing the front surface of the clock 31, and FIG. 20 (b) is a diagram showing the back surface of the clock 31. FIG. 20 (c) is a diagram showing the back surface of the clock 34.

As shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the timepiece 31 of the eighth embodiment has the pulse wave measuring device 10 (accelerometer 100 and vibration transmission unit 110) of the first embodiment of the band 32. Prepare for the back side.

The arrangement of the pulse wave measuring device 10 in the band 32 is such that when the watch 31 is worn on the wrist, the vibration transmitting unit 110 of the pulse wave measuring device 10 can capture the vibration of the pulsation inside the wrist. That is, the vibration transmission unit 110 is arranged so that the specific direction of the vibration transmission unit 110 of the pulse wave measuring device 10 is the longitudinal direction of the band 32. Further, the vibration transmission unit 110 is arranged on the side to be measured with the back surface of the band 32 as a reference, and the acceleration sensor 100 is arranged from the vibration transmission unit 110 in the thickness direction of the band 32.

Further, the electric signal output from the acceleration sensor 100 of the pulse wave measuring device 10 is sent to the main body of the watch 31 via the wiring 33 of the band 32. The main body of the clock 31 includes a control unit (not shown) and a wireless communication unit (not shown), and the control unit converts the electric signal acquired by the acceleration sensor into pulse wave information and sends it to the outside via the wireless communication unit. It has a function to transfer. Further, the band 32 includes a pressure sensor (not shown) in the vicinity of the pulse wave measuring device 10. The electric signal output from the pressure sensor is sent to the main body of the watch 31 via the wiring 33 of the band 32. The control unit has a function of converting an electric signal output from the pressure sensor into pressure information and notifying the pressure information.

Next, the measurement of the pulse wave in the clock 31 of the eighth embodiment will be described. First, the user contacts the back surface of the band 32 provided with the pulse wave measuring device 10 with the measurement target portion, and applies external pressure from the surface of the band 32 with a finger or the like. The external pressure on the band 32 is detected by the pressure sensor of the band 32, and the electric signal of the pressure sensor is sent to the main body of the watch 31 via the wiring 33. The control unit of the clock 31 notifies by changing the display or sound of the clock 31 according to the pressure received by the band 32 so that the pressure becomes suitable for the pulse wave measurement. When the pressure becomes suitable for measuring the pulse wave, the control unit of the clock 31 converts the electric signal output from the pulse wave measuring device 10 into pulse wave information.

In the above description, an example of converting the pulse wave information into pulse wave information and transferring the pulse wave information to the outside via the wireless communication unit has been described, but the control unit of the clock 31 has a function of estimating the blood pressure from the pressure information and the pulse wave information. May have.

Further, in the above description, the pulse wave measuring device 10 has been described by showing one example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more pulse wave measuring devices 10 may be provided.

Next, FIG. 20 (c) is a back view showing a modified example of the timepiece including the pulse wave measuring device 10 according to the eighth embodiment. The clock 34 shown in FIG. 20 (c) is provided with a pulse wave measuring device 10 on the back surface of the main body of the clock 34. Further, a pressure sensor (not shown) is provided on the back surface of the main body of the watch 34 and in the vicinity of the pulse wave measuring device 10. In the modified example watch 34, the arrangement of the pulse wave measuring device 10 and the pressure sensor is changed from the back surface of the band 32 of the watch 31 to the back surface of the main body of the watch 34. Is the same as the example of the clock 31 shown in FIG. 20 (b).

The pulse wave measuring device 10 in the present embodiment is not limited to the pulse wave measuring device 10 in the first embodiment. As the pulse wave measuring device 10 in the present embodiment, any pulse wave measuring device shown as each embodiment or a modification thereof can be used.

Further, the eighth embodiment has described examples of the clocks 31 and 34 provided with the pulse wave measuring device 10, but the present invention is not limited to the clock, and any portable information processing terminal may be used.

(Hardware configuration)
FIG. 21 shows the pressure control unit 24 and the blood pressure estimation unit 25 of the blood pressure measuring devices 1, 1A or 2 according to the seventh embodiment, or the control unit of the clock 31 or 34 according to the eighth embodiment realized by a computer device. It is a figure which shows the hardware structure.

As shown in FIG. 21, the pressure control unit 24, the blood pressure estimation unit 25, or the control unit has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 91, a communication I / F (communication interface) 92 for network connection, a memory 93, and a program. It includes a storage device 94 such as a hard disk for storing, and is connected to an input device 95 and an output device 96 via a system bus 97.

The CPU 91 operates an operating system to control the blood pressure estimation device according to the seventh embodiment or the control unit of the clock according to the eighth embodiment. Further, the CPU 91 reads a program or data into the memory 93 from a recording medium mounted on the drive device, for example.

Further, the CPU 91 has a function of processing the vibration signal of the input pulse wave corresponding to the control of the pressure control unit 24 or the blood pressure estimation unit 25, for example, and executes the processing of various functions based on the program. ..

The storage device 94 is, for example, an optical disk, a flexible disk, a magnetic optical disk, an external hard disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like. A part of the storage medium of the storage device 94 is a non-volatile storage device, in which the program is stored. The program may also be downloaded from an external computer (not shown) connected to the communication network.

The input device 95 is realized by, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a key button, a touch panel, or the like, and is used for an input operation.

The output device 96 is used, for example, to output and confirm information or the like realized by a display and processed by the CPU 91.

As described above, the seventh embodiment and the eighth embodiment are realized by the hardware configuration shown in FIG. However, the means for realizing each functional block portion of each embodiment is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block portion of the blood pressure measuring device or the clock may be realized by one physically connected device, or two or more physically separated devices may be connected by wire or wirelessly. , These may be realized by a plurality of devices.

Although the invention of the present application has been described above with reference to the embodiments (and examples), the invention of the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments (and examples). Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made within the scope of the present invention in terms of the structure and details of the present invention.

Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as, but not limited to, the following appendices.

(Appendix 1)
It has an acceleration sensor that detects vibration and a vibration transmission unit that transmits vibration due to pulsation at the site to be measured.
A pulse wave measuring device in which the length of the vibration transmitting portion in a specific direction is longer than the length of the acceleration sensor in the longitudinal direction.

(Appendix 2)
The pulse wave measuring device according to Appendix 1, wherein the vibration transmission unit transmits vibration due to the pulsation in a region of the vibration transmission unit in which the acceleration sensor is not installed.

(Appendix 3)
The pulse wave measuring device according to Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the acceleration sensor is installed near the center of the length of the vibration transmitting portion in a specific direction.

(Appendix 4)
The pulse wave measuring device according to Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the acceleration sensor is installed at the end of the vibration transmitting portion having a length in a specific direction.

(Appendix 5)
The pulse wave measuring device according to Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the acceleration sensor is installed at a plurality of ends of the vibration transmission unit.

(Appendix 6)
Any one of Appendix 1 to Appendix 5 in which the length of the vibration transmitting unit in the direction perpendicular to the specific direction and the thickness direction of the acceleration sensor is equal to or less than the length in the vertical direction of the acceleration sensor. The pulse wave measuring device according to.

(Appendix 7)
The pulse wave measuring device according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to Supplementary note 6, wherein the vibration transmitting portion has a structure curved in the specific direction.

(Appendix 8)
The pulse wave measuring device according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to Supplementary note 7, wherein the vibration transmitting unit is deformed in the specific direction by receiving an external pressure of 50 mmHg (6666 Pa) or less applied to the vibration transmitting unit.

(Appendix 9)
The pulse wave measuring device according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to Supplementary note 8, further comprising a compression portion that applies pressure to the vibration transmitting portion in the direction of the measured portion.

(Appendix 10)
The pulse wave measuring device according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to Supplementary note 9, wherein the vibration transmission coefficient of the vibration transmission unit is higher than the vibration transmission coefficient of the measurement target portion.

(Appendix 11)
The pulse wave measuring device according to Appendix 1 to Appendix 10, wherein a bandpass filter that passes a frequency in a specific range is applied to either an electric signal or pulse wave information.

(Appendix 12)
A blood pressure measuring device having at least one pulse wave measuring device according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to Supplementary note 11.

(Appendix 13)
An information processing terminal having at least one pulse wave measuring device according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to Supplementary note 11.

This application claims priority on the basis of Japanese application Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-172301 filed on August 27, 2014, and the entire disclosure thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

1, 1A Blood pressure measuring device 2 Blood pressure measuring device 10 Pulse wave measuring device 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 Pulse wave measuring device 21 Cuff 22 Compression bag 23 Pressure measuring unit 24 Pressure control unit 25 Blood pressure estimation unit 26 Input unit 27 Display Part 28 Sensing bag 29 Measuring device 30 Estimating device 31 Clock 32 Band 33 Wiring 34 Clock 50 Arteries 51 Vibration transmission range 52 Bone 53 Surface layer 91 CPU
92 Communication I / F (communication interface)
93 Memory 94 Storage device 95 Input device 96 Output device 97 System bus 100, 100A, 100B Accelerometer 110, 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D, 110E, 110F Vibration transmission unit 111, 112, 113, 114, 115 Vibration transmission unit 130 External pressure 140 Measured part 150 Compression part

Claims (7)

With the main body
A band portion that is connected to the main body portion and fixed to the wrist of the person to be measured, and a band portion.
A compression bag that applies pressure to the wrist,
A sensing bag having a structure shorter than that of the compression bag in a specific direction and compressing the part to be measured, and a sensing bag.
A pressure measuring unit connected to the sensing bag and measuring the pressure applied to the part to be measured and the pressure of the compression bag.
A pulse wave measuring unit provided on the main body side and the band portion side for measuring the pulse wave of the wrist, and a pulse wave measuring unit.
With
The main body displays blood pressure information estimated based on the pressure information measured by the pressure measuring unit.
Clock type blood pressure measuring device. The specific direction is the longitudinal direction of the band portion.
The clock-type blood pressure measuring device according to claim 1. At least before one of Kimyakuha measuring unit, watch-type blood pressure measuring apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 is provided at a position to capture the pulsation inside the previous SL wrist. It said body portion, the oscillometric method, from said pressure information and information of the pulse wave, the watch-type blood pressure measuring device according to any one of claims 1-3 having estimator for estimating the blood pressure information. The pulse wave measuring unit, watch-type blood pressure measuring apparatus according the band portion and from the claims 1 provided on the side in contact with the wrist of the subject in the main body in any one of four. The pulse wave measuring unit
An accelerometer that detects vibration and
A vibration transmitting section for transmitting the vibration due to pulsation in the measuring site,
Have,
Wherein the length of a particular direction of the vibration transmission part, watch-type blood pressure measuring device according to any one of the 5 long claims 1 than the length of the acceleration sensor. The clock-type blood pressure measuring device according to claim 6, wherein the specific direction of the vibration transmitting portion is arranged so as to be the longitudinal direction of the band portion.

Images